On January 17, 2024, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced S.3597, the Promoting Dental Health Act. The bill would reauthorize funding for the Oral Health Cooperative Agreement Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through 2028. CDC’s Oral Health cooperative agreements provide grants to state health departments to implement a set of core activities, including managing school sealant programs, increasing access to water fluoridation for the community, and strengthening oral health surveillance programs across the state. These cooperative agreements promote states’ abilities to decrease oral health disparities, prevent gum disease and cavities, and support dental education, data collection, and other efforts to improve dental health care. Currently, the program allocates $20.5 million to 20 states.

The legislation, S.3597, is available here.

Senator Durbin’s press release is available here. 

Impact on General Dentistry: This legislation would allow CDC to continue funding crucial oral health state programs, many of which are being piloted in underserved and low-income areas. These public health programs promote equitable access to oral health services and reduce the prevalence of oral and dental health morbidities.